Janki Temple in Janakpur, Nepal, not far from the Dudhmati River and just across the Bihar border, is counted among the most respected holy places of Mithila. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Sita, worshipped here as Janaki Mai, the daughter of King Janaka. For many, it stands as a living reminder of purity, devotion, and grace. People believe this spot marks the very birthplace of Sita, the divine wife of Lord Rama, and pilgrims continue to arrive here with hopes of family happiness, peace, and the fulfillment of heartfelt prayers.
History of Janki Temple
The Janki Temple is often said to be as old as the legends of the Ramayana, though the present building was completed much later, in 1910, under Queen Vrisha Bhanu of Tikamgarh. Even so, the site itself is believed to hold sanctity from the Treta Yuga, when Sita was born in Mithila. Local belief tells that this very spot is where King Janaka discovered the infant Sita in a furrow while ploughing the fields, and in her honor, he raised a shrine. Over the centuries, the place remained holy ground, with references to Mithila’s glory appearing in the Ramayana and other early texts.
The temple today stands right in the center of Janakpur town, on level ground, easy to reach by walking or taking a rickshaw. Travelers from the 1800s, including British visitors, noted the crowds, fairs, and the deep devotion here. After the monarchy in Nepal came to an end, a local trust began looking after the temple, with some repairs and additions in the 1990s that kept its older style intact. Saints and poets through the years have sung about Janaki’s grace, and the temple became especially popular for wedding rituals and family prayers.
Architecture of Janki Temple
The temple’s got that stunning Rajput-Mughal style, grand yet full of devotion, built with white marble and local stone that shines in the sun. The main sanctum, where Sita’s idol sits with Rama, Lakshman, and Hanuman, is big and ornate, decked in gold jewelry, colorful sarees, and fresh lotuses. It’s topped with a tall shikhara and golden kalasha, like a palace for the goddess, with walls carved with Ramayana scenes, flowers, and peacocks, a bit worn but still beautiful.
The courtyard’s huge with arched galleries and pillars showing Sita’s life, leading to a massive gate with frescoes of her swayamvar. The temple spans three stories, with 60 rooms and a museum of Mithila art nearby.
Legends of Janki Temple
The temple is full of Ramayana tales that people love to tell. One story says that long ago, King Janaka found baby Sita in a golden box while ploughing a field for a ritual, a gift from Mother Earth, and he built a shrine there to honor her birth. The name Janaki means “daughter of Janaka,” and many believe that praying here with a sincere heart can bring blessings for marriage, children, or family harmony, reflecting Sita’s love for Rama. Another tale says her wedding to Rama took place nearby, making the land especially holy for happy unions. People also speak of miracles. Couples sometimes find love, and barren women are believed to have been blessed with children after offering prayers.
Rituals and Festivals
When festivals come, the temple gets really lively, full of colors, sounds, and devotion. Vivah Panchami, around November or December, is biggest one, with big plays showing Rama and Sita’s wedding, bhajans, and flowers all. Many say you can feel a sense of peace just by stepping inside. Devotees often pray for love, children, or family harmony, and when wishes are granted, they offer sindoor, flowers, sweets, and coconuts. Even a single tulsi leaf is believed to make her happy.
There’s also a custom of offering silver anklets or lotuses to Sita, thought to gain her quick favor, though Mai is pleased with simple offerings like water or flowers. During Navratri, the idols get special shringar, dressed in bright sarees. Free meals at the temple feed thousands, ranging from 2,000 to 10,000, during these festival days.
Information for Travelers
Hours and Entry: Open every day, summer: 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM; winter: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM; festivals till 11:00 PM. It’s free to go in, but pujas cost ₹20–150. No pictures in the main hall. One special feature of this temple is that even those who do not wish to enter can still see the idols from the courtyard arches.
Inside the temple grounds, behind the main sanctum, there are smaller shrines for Hanuman and Shiva. Here, seven akhand jyots (eternal lamps) burn continuously, fueled by desi ghee. When their wishes are fulfilled, devotees return to light a lamp, which can cost anywhere from one rupee to twenty thousand rupees.
How to Get There:
Air: Jay Prakash Narayan Airport in Patna, 150 km away, has flights to Delhi (around 1 hour) and Kolkata (around 1 hour). Taxis take about 3.5 hours to Janakpur.
Train: Janakpur Railway Station is 1 km from the temple, with trains to Jaynagar (about 1 hour) across the Indian border. Rickshaws are available for local travel.
Road: Janakpur lies 30 km from Jaynagar, Bihar, via NH-105, and 150 km from Patna. Buses run from Patna and Sitamarhi.
Best Time to Visit: October to March is cool, 15–25°C. Vivah Panchami and Ram Navami are busy, with 10,000–30,000 visitors, so come early.
Nearby Attractions
Rama Mandir: 1 km away, a vibrant temple for Lord Rama with daily aarti.
Mithila Art Gallery: 2 km away showcases traditional Madhubani paintings.
Dhanush Sagar: 1 km away, it is a sacred pond with relation to Sita’s swayamvar legends.
